We took this route on a Thursday, once, and it was a mess.
The group was spread out.
A train arrived at the same time.
Traffic from both directions.
Cars attempting to turn onto Finch from both directions.
Cars attempting to pull-around turn traffic from both directions.
I un-clipped at the RxR, got a piece of gravel lodged in the cleat, couldn't clip-in.
Fortunately, we all survived.
But, I've looked at how this could be done, because some people will want to short-cut.

Other than old, blind Joe.
Perhaps Joe with his new eyes, may want to comment on this approach...
after we took it Saturday.
We didn't have any traffic or trains on Saturday, so we didn't need to stop, but I tried to point out the re-group and wait spot.
This leaves a very short hop to access Finch Rd.
Any thoughts from those that were in the group on Saturday?

Hey I resemble that remark.
I thought the reroute worked great, looking to try it again.

0

motoBcane

Post subject:Posted: Jul 18, 2017 - 06:01 AM

Distance Rider

Joined: Mar 10, 2011
Posts: 370
Location: hiram

I took that short cut Saturday and met up with Rob and 2 new guys right at that junction actually, no trains, and usually light traffic on Saturdays anyways. One of the guys "Filipe" looks like he wont have any problems keeping up and staying on the front w Duracell, Mike and co....

I say if we stick at going west on the trail on Thursday, and finish the usual, shouldn't be an issue......Suggestion to make the Thurs ride a little longer and more satisfying, is once we are hauling it at Bill Carruth, just turn right on Laird heading south, cross Ridge rd, hook back up to Williams lake road and finish up like at the start of Sky...It just feels like a better workout to me, avoids going to downtown Hiram or riding the whole busy bypass....

0

webgeek

Post subject:Posted: Jul 18, 2017 - 04:58 PM

Ultra Distance

Joined: Feb 02, 2005
Posts: 9052
Location: Powder Springs

motoBcane wrote:

I took that short cut Saturday and met up with Rob and 2 new guys right at that junction actually, no trains, and usually light traffic on Saturdays anyways. One of the guys "Filipe" looks like he wont have any problems keeping up and staying on the front w Duracell, Mike and co....

I say if we stick at going west on the trail on Thursday, and finish the usual, shouldn't be an issue......Suggestion to make the Thurs ride a little longer and more satisfying, is once we are hauling it at Bill Carruth, just turn right on Laird heading south, cross Ridge rd, hook back up to Williams lake road and finish up like at the start of Sky...It just feels like a better workout to me, avoids going to downtown Hiram or riding the whole busy bypass....

MotoB,
Hopefully we add on a few new riders this season, one of the reasons for the move to a Florence start was to gain more visibility for the group.
Funny, I had a guy at Home Depot ask if we were still riding, he had seen us at Florence.

I like Laird, it's a tough section heading South.
We tried Laird a couple of Thursdays, a few years ago iirc. But we had some serious problems with idiot drivers. We had one guy pass us in the opposite lane on the completely blind big hump. I've avoided it since then.
Unfortunately, you can't fix stupid, just avoid it. It's the reason I quit riding Unicoi up in the gaps; the idiot drivers wait and pass at the blind corners. Some people just aren't wired right. I can't explain it, they just can't extrapolate how stupid they are.

Another option is Waters, but you lose Rich Davis (the bull road) which is a really nice road and lower traffic too.

Compare to Austin Bridge, the drivers know it's a tight, nasty, blind hump and we seldom have driver problems there. If it was a rush hour road, it might be different, maybe?? If Austin Bridge had clear a view (no turn) I'd bet we'd probably have the same problem there too, but they are looking at trees, makes all the difference.

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